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Immigration Cleared About 60,000 Backlog Of Passport Applications In Four Days — Tunji-Ojo

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Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has cleared about 60,000 passport backlog in four days.

Tunji-Ojo spoke on Tuesday when Betta Edu, minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, paid him a courtesy visit in office in Abuja.

He said the number was out of the over 200,000 pending passport applications.

The minister had directed the NIS to ensure the clearance of all pending passport applications within two weeks.

According to a statement by Alao Babatunde, his special adviser on media and publicity, Tunji-Ojo said he would clean up the passport crisis in the country.

“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment to the country and we said there is no way it can continue,” he said.

“As at this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, specifically, 59,906.

“On Sept. 6, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. However, we have recorded tremendous progress, and I still maintain my words, those backlogs must be cleared.”

On her part, Edu said her visit was informed by the need for the two ministries to collaborate in reducing human trafficking.

She added that the collaboration would also include other related challenges such as the poor welfare of veterans, underemployment and poverty reduction.

Edu said the interior ministry is in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays a supervisory role in the service.

Responding to her, Tunji-Ojo said the interior ministry welcomes such initiative as it is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He commended Edu for the concept and assured her of his support.

“There is a lot of work to be done and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking, NIS must help us change the story completely.

“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional centres as they are Nigerians as well.

“Let’s see how they can benefit from your welfare packages. Of course, there is a lot we can achieve together.”

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JUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre

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Oil marketers sourcing “Premium Motor Spirit”, “PMS”, also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price by 11.8 percent to N939.50 per litre, down from N1,060 per litre.

As of Thursday, December 19, petrol was still being sold at N1,060 per litre in Lagos and surrounding areas.

However, by Friday, MRS, a leading marketer, along with others, had adjusted their prices, now selling at N939.50 per litre.

It’s worth noting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had earlier lowered the ex-pump price of petrol to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the refinery, this price reduction is intended to offer much-needed relief to Nigerians ahead of the holiday season.

Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, made this announcement.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on “PMS” (“petrol”). From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM,” Chiejina said.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

 

More to come…

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EFCC Allocates N18bn For Allowances, N5bn For Travels In Proposed 2025 Budget

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to allocate N18 billion for allowances in 2025.

This figure is part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under consideration and awaiting approval by the national assembly.

As per the appropriation bill, the EFCC’s total budget for 2025 stands at approximately N62.2 billion.

This budget includes personnel costs (N38.6 billion), overheads (N20.9 billion), and capital expenditure (N2.2 billion).

Within the allowance budget, N1.7 billion is designated for “non-regular allowances,” while “regular allowances” are set at N16.7 billion.

Other proposed expenditures for the EFCC include welfare packages (N1.4 billion), fuel and lubricants (N2 billion), financial charges (N1.2 billion), construction and provision of office buildings (N1.1 billion), and maintenance services (N2.1 billion).

The EFCC also plans to allocate N4.9 billion for “local travel and transport,” with “international travel and transport” expected to cost N1.7 billion.

The proposed budget includes N800 million for the purchase of fixed assets.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu unveiled the N49.7 trillion 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”

In his address to the national assembly, Tinubu stated that it was time “we rewrite Nigeria’s narrative together.”

The primary focus of next year’s budget will be the defence, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.

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BREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case

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A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, made the ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Friday.

The bail conditions include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens in society, with the defendant required to leave his international passport with the court. Farotimi is also prohibited from granting media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

 

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